"Smuggler's Run #1" (comic adaptation--based on the novel by Greg Rucka) by Alec Worley

"Smuggler's Run #1" (comic adaptation--based on the novel by Greg Rucka), adapted by Alec Worley, art by Ingo Romling

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I greatly enjoyed this story back when I read the original novel a few years ago (this was before I started this blog so I've no review to refer back to) and this comic adaptation did not disappoint one bit!! The illustrations were gorgeously vivid and engaging. The story was fun and eventful. And the whole package was simply a delight--I mean who doesn't enjoy witnessing Han getting into some hot water and scrambling to figure a way out?? It was especially cool to get some great visuals of Commander Alecia Beck!! She gets a mention in "Shattered Empire 4" when Shara Bey pretends to be Commander Beck without realizing she has a mechno replacement for her left eye (see the actual Beck below). I loved getting to see this Imperial officer up close and personal in a comic book format!!

As for the story itself, the Shrikes are a group of Rebels whose job is to hunt out future Rebel bases (with the assumption that their current base and following base will always be found). Lieutenant Caluan Ematt was their leader and only he knew all the coordinates of these potential bases, making him an extra special prize for the Empire. The other Shrikes get captured and killed by Beck and her contingent of troopers and upon finding out that Ematt was not among the group, she sets her sights on finding the man and claiming his secrets for herself! Leia sends a reluctant Han and an eager Chewie on a mission to recover Ematt from Cyrkon (the planet he has escaped to) and help him avoid capture by the Empire entirely. 

                                      

Landing at the capital city of Motok (a nasty, polluted place--see below), Han and Chewie begin their search but soon run into some bounty hunters sent by Jabba (see them firing below, as well as Chewie firing back)!! In an intelligent ploy, Han yells out that the hunters are Rebels and he and Chewie sneak away to Captain Delia Leighton's yacht (see below), the Serendipity, where they hope they will find some help in locating their quarry and getting off world without the Empire taking notice.

I'm so excited to continue reliving this story once Part 2 comes out!! It's a rollercoaster ride of a read and I highly recommend checking it out, whether in book or comic format. Note: the book is a middle grade novel and so is written with a younger audience in mind, but it's still a lot of fun. I'm really enjoying these comic/manga adaptations recently as they are a super quick way to relive the story and get tons of info in a more memorable format. Soon I'll be starting the Screen Comix adaptation of Clone Wars: Season 7 and I cannot wait!!